Take Time TODAY to Support Our Health and Environment with the Food and Farm Act

The Food and Farm Act, otherwise known as H. R. 4425, is a bill that was introduced by Representative Earl Blumenauer, on November 16, 2017. This bill plans to:

“reform the safety net for farmers and ranchers, enhance soil, water, and habitat conservation, encourage beginning farmers and ranchers, strengthen nutrition for Americans, support agriculture research and innovation, reduce food waste, improve animal welfare, and invest in regional food systems, and for other purposes.”

To support this critically important bill, please dial 202-224-3121, and press 2, then enter your zip code to connect with your state representative. Here is a sample script you can use:

I am a constituent, and am calling to ask you to sponsor the Food and Farm Act, H.R. 4425, to create a fairer and more sustainable food system.

Thank you for you your much needed support! Every call makes a difference!

Did you make the call? I’d like to hear from you!

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-Friends of the Earth:

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Friends of the Earth today supported Representative Earl Blumenauer’s (D-OR) Food and Farm Act, a progressive alternative to farm policy dominated by industrial agriculture. Current federal agricultural policy directs significant tax-payer subsidies towards large, pesticide-intensive industrial farms at the expense of family farmers, rural communities, public health, animal welfare, and the environment. As Congress begins to deliberate the 2018 Farm Bill, Friends of the Earth applauds the Food and Farm Act’s alternative vision for an agricultural system that will help family farmers and ranchers thrive, while improving access to healthy food and protecting our planet.

“Instead of handing out endless taxpayer dollars to agribusiness polluters, the Food and Farm Act will provide farmers the support they need to produce abundant, healthy food while protecting our soil, water, climate and pollinators,” said Kari Hamerschlag, deputy director of the food and agriculture program at Friends of the Earth. “For the benefit of family farmers, consumers, animals and the environment, we urge Congress to reject the status quo and support Rep. Blumenauer’s alternative farm bill”

“I applaud Rep. Blumenauer for drafting a farm bill that will help farmers like me expand production of organic, grass-fed, humane, and locally processed meat and dairy products for the growing market of consumers who want healthier food for their families,” said Will Harris, a fourth generation farmer and owner of White Oaks Pasture, a diversified and certified organic, grass-fed and humane operation that raises and processes beef, lamb, poultry, rabbits, eggs, and vegetables in Georgia. “It would be a great leap forward to have a farm bill that supports regenerative and humane agricultural practices that serve to strengthen our local rural economies.”

Among other provisions, the Food and Farm Act includes measures to:

Level the playing field for family farmers by limiting subsidies in the commodity, conservation, and crop insurance programs;

Protect soil and water quality by requiring that crop insurance subsidy recipients implement good stewardship practices on their land;

Support regenerative, organic, pasture-based and humane farming practices that will protect pollinators, build healthy soil and reduce the use of antibiotics and pesticides;

Increase access to healthy food in underserved communities and schools, and support infrastructure investments that will allow greater access to better quality, regionally produced meat, dairy and poultry products;